By Karl Stevens

Faces of people have always been the favourite subjects of photographers. However, portrait photography isn't just about capturing a face; instead it is about bringing one person or a group of persons come alive in a photo by showing them in their true form.

A good portrait photograph achieves a non-conventional aspect by capturing the subject from a unique camera angle and in a mood that is representative of the person. However, portraits of one person or of entire families are also clicked by photographers, and these are normally stuck in family albums.

The most important thing in a portrait image is the close up, and the countenance of the subject must emerge sharply in it. This can be attained by making use of a setting in the camera that makes the background slightly hazy and blurred so as to make the face look more in focus. A camera with a wider aperture can strike this perfect tuning between the background and the person's face. One the other hand, it is advisable to click with a normal aperture if emphasis on the background is as important as on the person, which is mostly true in outdoor photography.

Without ample light available to shoot, photographers find it tough to click a good image. However, by adhering to some basic photography guidelines, a good portrait photograph can be clicked. If the individual is made to sit by a window in a position in which the sun's rays fall only to some extent on the face, then the photograph generally ends up looking quite good. The remaining part of the face can be lighted up by using a reflective object like a white piece of sheet or board. However, Studio lighting can also be tuned to suit the light requirements for good portrait photographs, and thus several photographers seek to click such photographs within the confines of studios.

Another important thing that you must keep in mind is that the more comfortable a subject is during the shoot, higher the chances are of getting a perfect portrait photograph. If the subject doesn't feel at ease while being photographed and doesn't give a natural expression, then even the best camera and lighting technology can not ensure a good portrait.

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